[WRhine]

So I guess my question would be why does America want to be more like France? Has Socialism worked anywhere...EVER? Maybe all those Muslims they have been importing will help them out of their funk................yeah, that's the ticket.

[Timesink]

Britons pay 45 per cent of their income to the state in taxes, compared with 75 per cent for the French.

How does the average French citizen even SURVIVE? I mean, sure, you don't have to pay (directly) for your socialized medicine, but what about your mortgage? Or food? The basics of life? How do you do that with only 25% of your income?

[gathersnomoss]

The reason, as you already know, is that socialism = power over the people. Way too many people need a government breast to suck in order to help make them feel warm and fuzzy.

[Calvin Locke]

Has Socialism worked anywhere...EVER?

Yes. But only in voluntary communal enclaves that have access to the benefits of the outside, capitalistic world.

I doubt Sweden could survive as-is without being able to trade with capitalists.